Lip seal for vacuum bottle assemblies and the like



v. D. BELL 3,071,273

LIP SEAL FOR VACUUM BOTTLE ASSEMBLIES AND THE LIKE Jan. 1, 1963 Filed March 4, 1960' FIG. 1

22 FIG. 2

INVENTOR on D. Bell 7 ATTORNEYS a corporation of Michigan Filed Mar. 4, 196%), Ser. No. 12,727 Claims. (ill. 215-13) The present invention relates to bottle or container assemblies, especially vacuum bottle assemblies, and more particularly to a novel and improved means for providing a seal about the upper edge or lip of a container, between the container lip and another part of the container assembly, such as a pouring lip.

In a typical vacuum bottle assembly, for example, an evacuated, double-walled container is received in a casing, with its neck portion, usually of reduced diameter, projecting above the top of the casing. A breast piece is secured to and extends above the casing and overlies part of the neck of the container for the purpose of securing the container in the casing. Frequently, the breast piece has secured thereto or formed integrally therewith a pouring lip which, in effect, forms an upward extension of the container neck, facilitating pouring of liquids from the container. The present invention relates to the provision in a container assembly, and particularly although not necessarily in a vacuum bottle assembly, of a novel and improved lip seal arrangement, providing a simple and effective seal between the upper edge or lip of the container and that part of the breast piece and/or pouring lip dis posed about the upper edge of the container, to prevent the undesired entry of liquids into the space between the breast piece and the outer wall of the container.

As one of its specific aspects, the present invention provides an improved lip seal arrangement which is both highly simplified in nature, enabling economical manufacture and assembly, and capable of functioning with improved effectiveness for its intended purpose. To this end, the new lip seal incorporates a sealing ring of arcuate cross-section, which is positioned generally atop the rounded lip of the container or vacuum bottle and which is acted upon by annular pressure areas formed on the breast piece in such a way as to provide a seal of substantially initial effectiveness which is rendered even more effective by the application thereto of pressures from within the container.

In one specific advantageous form of the invention, the breast piece is formed with an integral pouring lip which extends above the lip of the container and forms, in effect, an extension of the container neck, and an inward and downward extension of the pouring lip is disposed substantially directly above the lip of the container to form an annular pressure area. This annular pressure area bears downward upon a sealing ring, which is formed of a semi-resilient material, such as polyethylene. A portion of the sealing ring is exposed radially inward of the annular pressure area and forms, in effect, the base of the pouring lip. Advantageously, a second pressure area is formed on the breast piece, and this pressure area acts upon the radially outward extremes of the sealing ring, preventing outward movement of the ring under the influence of pressure from within the container.

As a further specific feature of the invention, the crosssection of the annular sealing ring is substantially moonshaped, having a bottom surface conforming generally to the rounded contours of the container lip. When the sealing ring is held in operative position, the application to the exposed, radially inward portion thereof of pressure from within the container tends to bend or curl the crosssectional contours of the sealing ring, increasing the effec- 3,671,273 Patented Jan. 1, 1963 tiveness of the seal at critical areas around the outside of the container neck as well as around the inside.

For a better understanding of the above and other novel and advantageous features of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, elevational view, partly in section, of a typical vacuum bottle assembly incorporating the improved sealing means of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the breast piece and sealing ring used in the assembly of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawing, the reference numeral 10 designates a casing, in which is received a vacuum bottle 11, the illustrated vacuum bottle being of a conventional type having glass walls 12, 13 separated by an evacuated space 14. As illustrated, the container of bottle 11 has a neck portion 15 of reduced diameter which projects substantially above the top edge of the casing 10.

Secured in a prepositioned manner to the casing 10, as by means of threads 16, is a breast piece 17, advantageously formed of a substantially rigid plastic material such as styrene. The breast piece 17 has a radially outward extending flange 18 which seats upon the upper edge of the casing 16 to fix the position of the breast piece with respect to the casing. conventionally, the breast piece has threads 19 above the flange 18, to which a suitable cover 20 may be engaged.

In the illustrated form of the invention, the breast piece 17 has an integral upper portion 21 provided with a threaded outer surface 22 for securing the collar 23 of a suitable cap assembly 24. The upper portion 21 of the breast piece 17 has an upwardly and outwardly diverging inner surface 25 forming, in effect, an extension of the neck 15 of the container and constituting a pouring lip.

In accordance with the invention, a novel arrangement is provided for effecting a seal between the upper portion f the breast piece 17 and the upper edge of the container 11, which upper edge is defined by a rounded lip 26 connecting the generally cylindrical inner and outer walls 12, 13 of the container. The improved sealing means of the invention includes an annular sealing ring 27 formed of a semi-resilient material, such as polyethylene, and of a size and shape to conform generally to the rounded lip of the container. In one advantageous form of the invention, the sealing ring 27' has a moon-shaped cross-section defined by an arcuate outer or upper surface having a first radius and an arcuate inner or bottom surface having a second radius smaller than the first radius. By Way of example, the radius of the outer surface may be on the order of 0.109 inch, while the radius of the inner surface may be on the order of 0.078 inch. The cross-section of the sealing ring is symmetrical about an axis, and the centers of curvature of the top and bottom surfaces lie on this axis of symmetry, being spaced apart about 0.045 inch, with the larger radius originating above the center of the smaller radius. As the sealing ring 27 initially is molded, the axis of symmetry advantageously is disposed at an angle of about 24 to the vertical, so that the convex bottom of the sealing ring is tilted somewhat inward. The uppersurface of the sealing ring advantageously describes an arc of about 224, while the lower surface describes an arc of about 188, blunt edges 30, about 0.020 inch in width being provided to connect the arcuate surfaces 28, 29.

In accordance with another specific aspect of the invention, the upper portion 21 of the breast piece 17 is provided with means forming pressure areas for securing the sealing ring 27 in predetermined position on the rounded container lip 26. Thus, adjacent the base of the upper portion 21 of the breast piece there is provided a cylindrical inner surface 31 of a size to conform rather closely to the outer cylindrical wall 13 of the container, adjacent the rounded lip 26 thereof. Directly above the cylindrical surface 31 there is provided an annular recess having a generally arcuate cross-sectional contour whose radius is substantially equal to the molded upper radius of the sealing ring 27, or about 0.109 inch. The center of curvature of the recess 32 lies slightly (e.g., about 0.031 inch) above the top edge of the cylindrical surface 31, so that the surface of the arcuate recess extends slightly outward from the surface 31. The upper and inner extent of the recess 32 is determined by the base of the pouring lip 25 and, advantageously, this is located about 0.108 inch above the top of the cylindrical surface 31 and radially inward therefrom a distance of about 0.180 inch. Advantageously, the dimensional relationships of the pouring lip base and the container lip 26 are such that the circular terminating line of the recess 32, at the top, lies slightly inward of the center of the lip 26.

Advantageously, the upper portion 21 of the breast piece 17 is provided with a second or relieving recess 33, which is formed intermediate the cross-sectional termini of the recess 32. The arrangement is such as to form, in the upper portion of the breast piece, a pair of spaced, annular pressure areas 34, 35 which contact the sealing ring 27. The radially innermost pressure area 35, as shown in FIG. 2, contacts the sealing ring 27 outward of its innermost edge, so that the radially innermost portion of the sealing ring remains exposed inside the lower of the pouring lip and forms, in effect, the base thereof.

To assemble the various parts, the sealing ring 27 may be snappedv into the recess 32 in the breast piece, being retained therein by reason of the fact that the maximum diameter of the sealing ring is somewhat larger than the diameter of the inner cylindrical surface 31 of the breast piece. When the breast piece 17 is threaded into the easing 10, the container 11 having previously been inserted in the casing, the lower edge of the sealing ring will contact the outer portion of the rounded lip 26 of the container and will be pressed upwardly thereby until the downward movement of the breast piece is terminated by the seating of the flange 18 on the upper edge of the casing.

As will be understood, when the lower edge of the sealing ring 27 is pressed upward, the entire ring tends to lift with respect to the upper portion of the breast piece. However, since this is prevented by the pressure area 35 overlying the sealing ring, the ring rotates or tilts inward with respect to the breast piece, curling slightly and forming a tight, effective seal at its edges with the rounded lip 26 of the container. At the same time, as the breast piece 17 is seated in the casing 14}, the upper pressure area 35 applies downward force to the sealing ring, pressing it into tight engagement with the top portion of the container lip 26. Advantageously, in the complete assembly, the upper pressure area 35 engages the sealing ring 27 radially inward of the axis of symmetry thereof where the sealing ring is of greatest thickness. Accordingly, excessive inward rotation or tilting of the sealing ring 27 is inhibited, and the pressure contact between the top of the lip 26 and the pressure area 35 increases proportionately as continued tilting movement of the sealing ring brings thicker portions of the ring into underlying relation to the pressure area 35.

In the complete assembly, an annular portion 36 of the sealing ring is exposed radially inward of the inner or base edge 37 of the pouring lip so that, in effect, the inner portion 26 of the ring forms an extension of the container neck and the base of the pouring lip.

As will be apparent upon comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2, the radius of the curved upper lip 26 of the container is somewhat greater than the molded radius of the bottom surface of the sealing lip 27. Thus, in the assembled device, wherein the sealing ring 27 is caused to conform substantially to the contours of the container lip 26, substantial sealing pressure is localized at the inner and outer edges of the sealing ring, where the ring contacts the container lip. Likewise, substantial sealing pressure is available between the pressure surface 35 and the sealing ring 27 by virtue of the downward force applied by seating of the breast piece 17 in the casing 10. Accordingly, upon assembly of the various parts, a highly effective seal is provided between the container lip and the upper or pouring lip portion 21 of the breast piece.

One of the significant advantages of the new lip seal is that, in the event of the development of pressure in the area to which the inner portion 36 of the sealing ring is exposed, the sealing ring tends to be pushed radially outward. This tends to induce a curl in the sealing ring. and also to tilt it outwardly, both of which actions increase the sealing contact pressure at the inner and outer edges of the sealing ring, as well as between the sealing ring and the pressure area 35. The application of pressures to the sealing ring, therefore, merely serves to increase its sealing ability, so that loss of pressure and/or leakage of liquids effectively is avoided.

As an important practical feature, the new sealing arrangement provides especially effective sealing at the sharp lower edge of the pouring lip 25 and at the inner edge of the the sealing ring 27. This permits the assemblcd container to be maintained easily in a clean and sanitary condition, as desired. Moreover, the exposed portion 36 of the sealing ring provides a relatively smooth transition between the container lip 26 and the base of the pouring lip 25, avoiding deep grooves and/or sharp corners which would hinder proper cleaning.

The new sealing lip, while incorporating a number of highly desirable features, including those discussed above, is further advantageous in respect of economy of manu facture and ease of assembly. The various parts are molded easily from readily available materials, and assembly is facilitated by snapping the sealing ring into a self-retaining position in its recess 32 in the breast piece, prior to application of the breast piece to the assembly.

It should be understood, however, that the specific form of the invention herein illustrated and described is intended to be representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in de termining the full scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A lip seal for a vacuum bottle assembly of the type having a container and a breast piece disposed about the neck of the container and wherein the container has spaced, generally cylindrical wall portions about its neck joined at the top by an annular rounded lip; said lip seal comprising an annular circular ring of arcuate cross section positioned at the top of the container neck and in contact with said rounded lip of the container, annularpressure means contacting the exposed surface of said sealing ring along an annular area thereof, a portion of said sealing ring being exposed radially inwardly of said, pressure means, and said breast piece having a cylindri-- cal inner surface conforming closely to the cylindrical outer wall of the container neck disposing said rounded lip, and a portion of said breast piece extending above said rounded lip and having an annular recess of arcuateoutline formed therein receiving a portion of said sealing ring.

2. The lip seal of claim 1, in which the principal arcuate outline of said recess conforms generally to the outline of the top surface of said sealing ring, and an annular relieving recess is provided in the central portion of the ring-receiving recess to form radially spaced annu comprising an annular sealing ring disposed about and in contact with said rounded lip and said breast piece being formed to provide a plurality of radially spaced and separated annular pressure areas contacting said lip seal, at least one of said pressure areas pressing generally outwardly of said sealing ring to maintain said ring in sealing relation between said rounded lip and said breast piece.

4. A lip seal for a vacuum bottle assembly of the type having a container and a breast piece disposed about the neck of the container and wherein the container has spaced, generally cylindrical Wall portions about its neck joined at the top by an annular rounded lip; said lip seal comprising an annular circular ring of arcuate cross section positioned at the top of the container neck and in contact with said rounded lip of the container, annular pressure means contacting the exposed surface of said sealing ring along an annular area thereof, a portion of said sealing ring being exposed radially inwardly of said References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,749,432 Kriege Mar. 4, 1930 2,692,703 Bramming Oct. 26, 1954 2,817,452 Brarnming Dec. 24, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 480,943 Germany Aug. 10, 1929 796,253 Great Britain June 11, 1958 

1. A LIP SEAL FOR A VACUUM BOTTLE ASSEMBLY OF THE TYPE HAVING A CONTAINER AND A BREAST PIECE DISPOSED ABOUT THE NECK OF THE CONTAINER AND WHEREIN THE CONTAINER HAS SPACED, GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL WALL PORTIONS ABOUT ITS NECK JOINED AT THE TOP BY AN ANNULAR ROUNDED LIP; SAID LIP SEAL COMPRISING AN ANNULAR CIRCULAR RING OF ARCUATE CROSS SECTION POSITIONED AT THE TOP OF THE CONTAINER NECK AND IN CONTACT WITH SAID ROUNDED LIP OF THE CONTAINER, ANNULAR PRESSURE MEANS CONTACTING THE EXPOSED SURFACE OF SAID SEALING RING ALONG AN ANNULAR AREA THEREOF, A PORTION OF SAID SEALING RING BEING EXPOSED RADIALLY INWARDLY OF SAID PRESSURE MEANS, AND SAID BREAST PIECE HAVING A CYLINDRICAL INNER SURFACE CONFORMING CLOSELY TO THE CYLINDRICAL OUTER WALL OF THE CONTAINER NECK DISPOSING SAID ROUNDED LIP, AND A PORTION OF SAID BREAST PIECE EXTENDING ABOVE SAID ROUNDED LIP AND HAVING AN ANNULAR RECESS OF ARCUATE OUTLINE FORMED THEREIN RECEIVING A PORTION OF SAID SEALING RING. 